Dear Class of 2020

You may not realize it yet, but you are going to light the world on fire. Despite your current situation, and the global pandemic things will eventually improve and you will be part of shaping the future.

You have already been through so much to get to this point. Endless nights studying, pre-exam jitters, and countless hours preparing for this moment. Now as you are about to graduate, there will be no ceremony, no receiving of the diploma, and no big party to celebrate your accomplishments. That long awaited moment to finally graduate and begin the next chapter is anticlimactic.

You are embarking on the next step in your journey during a challenging time. You will begin your career during a worldwide pandemic that shows no signs of abating any time soon. The future is uncertain; job prospects which were so full of hope just a few short months ago may have already dwindled, offers may have been rescinded, and nothing looks normal any longer.

That is the downside. The upside is, you are entering into your career on a blank slate. You have the chance to change the world. If you are a new grad NP you are entering into a broken healthcare system, one that has been declining for decades. You now have the opportunity to change the future for the better by creating a better healthcare system. One that puts patients over profits, prioritizes preventative medicine, and helps create better lives for our patients.

Although this may seem like an uphill battle, know that you have the strength and resilience to get through this time. You will be a stronger individual, and healthcare provider because of it. So go out and light the world on fire. No other class but that of 2020 has this unique gift to do so.